JJ Watt Foundation — After School Athletic Funding

• Official vendor quotes for requested equipment and uniforms
• Reconditioning report for football helmets, if requested
• Itemized budget for the past two years
• Principal or Athletic Director approval

Who is eligible?

• Schools with after-school athletic programs for grades 6 to 8
• School districts serving communities with high Free/Reduced Lunch eligibility

Who is not eligible

• Programs that have previously received funding from the foundation
• Programs for students in P.E. classes or outside grades 6 to 8
• Requests for non-essential clothing, electronics, or training equipment

Eligible expenses

• Game jerseys and game pants with school name and JJWF logo
• Safety equipment, including helmets, pads, and wrestling or cheerleading mats
• Balls, bats, nets, and other essential sport equipment
• Reasonable storage equipment

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Video recorders and other electronics such as scoreboards or timers
• Warm-ups, socks, shoes, mouth guards, girdles, and similar non-essential clothing
• Student duffle bags, automatic ball returns, and weight room equipment
• Coaching fees, transportation, fields, gyms, and storage locations
• Equipment used in P.E. or outside 6th to 8th grades

Eligible geographic areas

• Schools in the United States
• Schools in Washington, D.C.

• Meets the foundation’s program criteria
• Priority is given to the school’s most needed items
• Applications are considered on the basis of complete vendor quotes and budget information

• Step 1: Check eligibility
  • Confirm the program meets the foundation’s school, grade, schedule, and lunch-percentage criteria.
  • Review the FAQ and make sure the request is limited to essential uniforms or equipment.
• Step 2: Prepare required documents
  • Collect official vendor quotes for all requested items.
  • Obtain the past two years of the athletic program budget.
  • Secure approval from the Athletic Director or Principal.
  • Include the helmet reconditioning report if requesting football helmets.
• Step 3: Submit the application
  • Complete the online funding request application.
  • Upload the vendor quotes, budget, and any other required supporting documents.
  • Submit the application by the applicable application window deadline.

• Applications are reviewed quarterly by the foundation
• Applicants are notified only if the request is approved
• Approved applicants receive a letter by email with the approved items
• Vendors are also notified and sent payment directly

• Only programs that have not previously received funding from the foundation are currently accepted.
• Applications are reviewed quarterly.
• Applicants are notified only if their request is approved.
• After approval, the foundation sends letters to the contact person and vendors.